Energy storage unit



May 6, 1969 c. JACUZZI ENERGY STORAGE UNIT Filed Oct. 23 1965 INVENTOR.CANDIDO JACUZZI ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,442,292 ENERGY STORAGEUNIT Candido Jacuzzi, Lafayette, Calif., assignor to Jacuzzi BrothersIncorporated, Little Rock, Ark., a corporation of California Filed Oct.23, 1965, Ser. No. 503,963 Int. Cl. F161 55/04; F01b 19/04 US. Cl.138-30 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates tosystems involving fluids, usually liquids, under pressure. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a unit for storing energy in suchsystems. Even more particularly, the invention relates to apparatus forthe maintenance of residual pressure in pumped liquids after pumping hasstopped. Still more in particular, the invention relates to apparatusfor maintaining residual pressure in well water being pumped to thesurface, after pumping has stopped.

Liquid pressure systems commonly have a pump having a suction'line to asource of liquid and a discharge line to service; coupled in thedischarge line is a pressure tank for holding a reserve supply of liquidunder the pressure of a cushion of gas, usually air. Liquid in thepressure tank is replenished when the pressure therein falls below apredetermined level and the flow of liquid into the tank shut off whenthe pressure reaches a predetermined level.

Such pressure tanks have disadvantages in liquid pressure systemsincluding the fact that the tanks are bulky and hence not readilyuseable in underground installation; moreover, the cushion of gassuffers a loss in pressure due to leakage and/or absorption of the gasover a period of time. i

Expansible or resilient envelope in pairs have been used in liquidpressure systems in conduits to achieve a pumping action byalternatively inflating and deflating the envelopes with gas. Suchpumping is in surges and usually seals the system completely at the timeof each surge, at at least one point. Sometimes, liquid is pumpedthrough the expansible envelopes directly. I

Resilient envelopes have been used for storage of liquids, utilizing theresiliency of the envelope to expell the liquid therein.

It is therefore an objectof this invention to provide means formaintaining pressure within a fluid system after all other sources ofpressurization have been shut off.

Another object is to provide new and novel means for accomplishing theforegoing result.

Still another object is to provide a liquid pressure system having apump which will deliver some liquid after pumping has stopped.

Another object is to provide means for maintaining pressure in liquidsystems which is small and non-bulky.

Yet another object is to provide such means which utilizes the pressureof stored gas.

3,442,292 Patented May 6, 1969 "ice A further object is to provide meansutilizing stored gas for pressure and which has provision for readilyand easily replacing any gas loss through leakage, etc.

Still a further object is to provide such means which utilizes theresiliency of an elastic envelope or bladder ,to accomplish the desiredresult.

Yet a further object is to provide such means which combines the use ofgas pressure and the resiliency of an elastic envelope to attainresidual pressure in such systerns.

Another object is to provide water well pumping apparatus which has allthe foregoing advantages and which will deliver some water to serviceeven though the pump is not pumping.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from a consideration of the following part of the specificationtaken in conjunction with the appended drawing wherein like numeralsindicate like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view, mostly sectional, of the present means or apparatusand of a portion of a Well in which the apparatus is positioned, theapparatus being in condition to exert residual pressure; and

FIG. 2 is a view like FIG. 1 but showing the apparatus in anon-pressurizing or extended position; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 2, takenalong line 33 thereof.

The invention contemplates the inclusion, in the flow path of fluid,usually liquid in a pressure system, an inflated elastic or resilientenvelope, sleeve or bladder. The envelope and its fittings is termed anenergy storage unit. A forced flow of liquid past the envelope generallycompresses it, thus storing energy therein. On the other hand, stoppageof the forced flow allows the envelope to expand, thus displacing liquidfrom the system when opened. Means are provided however to prevent theexpansion of the envelope to fully block the flow of liquid in thesystem.

Energy is stored in the envelope in two ways. Firstly, the gas withwhich it is inflated is compressed and secondly, the envelope itself isstretched, thus producing an additive effect.

In its more preferred embodiment, a gas charging valve is provided inthe unit for the purpose of replenishing the gas, usually air, in theenvelope which is lost through leakage.

In a still more preferred embodiment, the unit is elongated andlongitudinal channels are provided in connection therewith, so that theflow path of liquids is not blocked fully, even though the envelope isfully expanded. Even more preferred is a multiplicity of ribs attachedto the exterior of the envelope, whereby channels or passageways areleft between the ribs.

Turning now to the drawing, the ground is generally designated 8 and hasa level or surface 9. A well in the ground is generally designated 10and is generally circular in cross-section. Well 10 has a casing 11which is also generally circular in cross-section and has an upper end12 which extends above ground level 9 and has internal threads. Casing11 further has a lower end 14 which extends down into the well.

Well 10 further has an electric cable 16 which has a lower end 18extending down to a pump, not shown. Cable 16 further has an upper end20, leading to a source of power, not shown.

An expanding chamber generally designated 30 is formed by upper disk 32,tube 70, and lower disk 80.

The outer edge of upper disk 32 is provided with threads which engagethe internal threads of upper end 12 of the casing 11, thus forming a.closure therefor. Upper disk 32 further has an internal annular lip 34which has internal threads.

Upper disk 32 is also provided with a centrally disposed innerprojection 36 which has a longitudinal aperture 38, the apertureextending through the disk as well, and having an upper threaded portion40. Air charging valve 42, having a needle 44, a flange 46 and a lowerthreaded portion 48 is positioned in aperture 38 by means of theengagement of threaded portions 40 and 48. Inner projection 36, aperture38 and air charging valve 42 form an upper fitting for envelope 102 asis discussed following.

Upper disk 32 still further has a threaded aperture in which ispositioned the first leg 52 of a suitably threaded right angle connector54. Connector 54 also has a second leg 56 which is internally threaded.Service pipe 58 has a near end 60 which has external threads which inturn engage the internal threads of second leg 56. Pipe 58 extends toservice.

Tube has an upper end 72 which is threaded externally, the threadsengaging the internal threads of annular lip 34. Tube 70 further has alower end 74 which is externally threaded.

Lower disk has an internal annular lip 82 which is internally threaded,the threads engaging the external threads of lower end 74 of tube 70.Disk 80 further has a centrally disposed threaded aperture 84.

A drop pipe is generally designated and has an upper end 92 which isexternally threaded, the threads engaging threaded aperture 84. The droppipe 90 extends downwardly to the water, not shown, in the well.

An energy storage unit generally designated includes a flexible,resilient, inflated envelope or bladder 102, an upper fitting ashereinbefore discussed, and a lower fitting 110.

Envelope 102 has an upper end 104 which is open and engaged about innerprojections 36 of upper disk 32. Upper clamp 106 holds the upper end 104to the projection 36, thus forming an upper closure for the envelope.Envelope 102 further has a lower end 108 which is also open.

Lower fitting 110 has a disk 112 and a centrally disposed innerprojection 114. Lower end 108 of envelope 102 is positioned aboutprojection 114 and held in place by lower clamp 116, forming a lowerclosure for the envelope.

Envelope 102 further has a multiplicity of longitudinal ribs whichengage the inner wall of tube 70 when the envelope is suflicientlyexpanded. Longitudinal spaces 122 remain between the ribs 120.

Operation Referring to FIG. 1, the pump is pumping water from the wellthrough drop pipe 90 and into expansion chamber 30, the water beingforced past the energy storage unit 100 as indicated by the verticalarrows. The envelope 102 is compressed by the water flowing around andpast it and thus gains potential energy. The water then makes a rightangle bend as indicated by the non-vertical arrows at the service pipefrom whence it goes to service.

When the pump is stopped, the flow of water stops and the compressionalforces on envelope 102 cease. The potential energy of envelope 102 isreleased when the pressure system is opened at some point, usually whenwater is drawn ofl for service, permitting the envelope to expand andlengthen and displace water. The envelope in its fully expanded positionis seen in FIG. 2, but ribs 120 do not permit it to expand against theinner wall of tube 70.

Rather, the ribs 102 are forced against the wall, but 1ongitudinalspaces 122 permit water to flow to service due to the pressure of theexpanded envelope. Envelope 102 may be recharged as is necessary throughvalve 42.

Thus water may be drawn off at service, even though the pump is notrunning. When suflicient water has been drawn 01f, the usual automaticcontrols start the pump running again.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that applicant hasprovided new and novel apparatus for maintaining pressure in fluid,usually liquid, systems which allows fluid to be drawn off without anyother source of pressurization. The present apparatus is non-bulky andutilizes a resilient, inflated envelope to attain pressure. Means areprovided to restore any inflation lost by the envelope. The presentapparatus has special application in wells delivering water forhousehold and other uses.

It is to be understood that only the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention have been described herein and shown in the drawingand that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallyshown and described and within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Energy storage apparatus for use in liquid pressure systems having acasing extending above ground which comprises an elongated resilientinflated envelope having an upper end fitting and a lower end fitting,the upper end fitting having an upper disk attached to the said casingat a point above ground and supporting the said envelope and lowerfitting, the upper end fitting further having an aperture connecting theinterior and exterior of the envelope and an air charging valvepositioned in said aperture, the envelope further having a multiplicityof longitudinal ribs; and a tube having an upper end attached to saidupper disk of said upper fitting and extending into the casing,surrounding the said envelope and lower fitting, the tube further havinga lower end communicating with liquid below.

. References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,292,778 1/ 1919 Holmes103-223 1,824,342 9/1931 Gillen 138--30 2,278,688 4/ 1942 Caminez 138-302,319,460 5/1943 Johnston 13830 2,389,792 11/ 1945 Lippincott 13 8302,359,147 9/1944 Merten 103-223 X 2,485,752 10/1949 Laspe et al 13830 X2,530,190 11/1950 Carver 138-26 2,543,585 2/1951 Miller 138-30 2,677,3935/1954 Cornelius 1383O X 2,712,831 7/ 1955 Day 13826 2,734,462 2/1956Schaeifer 103-223 2,875,787 3/1959 Evans 103223 X 2,875,788 3/1959 Pier138-30 X 3,261,296 7/1966 Weber 103-223 X FOREIGN PATENTS 730,582 5/1955Great Britain.

842,835 3/ 1939 France.

848,978 9/1960 Great Britain.

HOUSTON S. BELL, JR., Primary Examiner.

- U.S. Cl. X.R. 92-92

